Oxycodone is an opioid painkiller boots pharmacy. It’s used to treat severe pain, for example after an operation or a serious injury, or pain from cancer.

Sometimes it’s also used for other types of long-term pain when other painkillers, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin, have not worked boots pharmacy.

Oxycodone is only available on prescription. It comes as slow-release tablets, standard tablets and capsules, and a liquid that you swallow. It can also be given by injection, but this is usually done in hospital.

Oxycodone liquid, standard tablets, boots pharmacy capsules and injections work quickly. They’re used for pain which is expected to last for a short time and are often used when you start taking oxycodone, to help find the right dose.

Oxycodone slow-release tablets gradually release the oxycodone into your body over either 12 or 24 hours. They take longer to start working but last longer. They are used for long-term pain.

Sometimes your doctor may prescribe both standard and slow-release oxycodone to manage long-term pain, boots pharmacy.

Oxycodone is sometimes combined with a medicine called naloxone boots pharmacy. It comes as a tablet that is used to prevent certain side effects, such as constipation. Oxycodone with naloxone is known by the brand names Myloxifin, Oxyargin or Targinact.

Key facts

Oxycodone liquid and capsules work in 30 to 60 minutes but wear off after 4 to 6 hours. Slow-release tablets can take up to 1 to 2 days to work fully but the pain relief will last longer.
It’s possible to become addicted to oxycodone, but your doctor will explain how to reduce the risks of becoming addicted.
If you need to take oxycodone for more than a few weeks, your treatment plan may include details of how and when to stop taking this medicine. boots pharmacy
The most common side effects of oxycodone are constipation, feeling sick and feeling sleepy.
Do not have grapefruit juice while taking oxycodone. It can affect the way your body uses the oxycodone and cause more serious side effects.

Who can take oxycodone

Most adults and children aged 1 month and older can take oxycodone.

Babies, young children and older people boots pharmacy are more likely to get side effects.

Who may not be able to take oxycodone

Oxycodone is not suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, tell your doctor or a pharmacist before taking it if you:

have ever had an allergic reaction to oxycodone or any other medicine
have lung problems, asthma or breathing difficulties
have ever had an addiction to alcohol boots pharmacy
have a head injury or condition which causes seizures or fits
have an underactive thyroid gland (hypothyroidism)
have kidney or liver problems
have an enlarged prostate
have low blood pressure (hypotension)
have a mental health condition that is affected by certain medicines
have had recent stomach surgery or bowel problems boots pharmacy
are trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or if you’re breastfeeding

Dosage and strength

Oxycodone comes as:

capsules containing 5mg, 10mg or 20mg of oxycodone – usually taken 4 to 6 times a day
standard tablets containing 5mg, 10mg or 20mg of oxycodone – usually taken 4 to 6 times a day
slow-release tablets containing 5mg, 10mg, 15mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg, 60mg, 80mg or 120mg of oxycodone – usually taken 1 to 2 times a day boots pharmacy
liquid containing 5mg of oxycodone in 5ml or 10mg of oxycodone in 1ml of liquid – usually taken 4 to 6 times a day. You’ll usually take the strength that contains 5mg in 5ml. If you have oxycodone liquid, always check that you have the right strength

You’ll usually start on a low dose of oxycodone that can be increased gradually until your pain is under control. After this, your doctor may prescribe slow-release tablets which may cut down the number of doses you have to take.

When you stop taking oxycodone your doctor will gradually reduce your dose, boots pharmacy especially if you’ve been taking it for a long time.

How to take it

You can take oxycodone at any time of day, but try to take it at the same time every day and space your doses evenly. For example, if you take oxycodone twice a day and have your first dose at 8am, boots pharmacy take your second dose around 8pm.

Take oxycodone with, or just after, a meal or snack as it’s less likely to make you feel sick.

It’s important to swallow slow-release oxycodone tablets whole with a drink of water.